Arsenal star Declan Rice, who is set to captain England against Belgium, says there are conversations to be had with his Gunners team-mate
Arsenal duo Ben White and Declan Rice.(Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice says he would love for Ben White to reconsider his decision regarding his England career.
White, 26, refused manager Gareth Southgate's invitation to play for the Three Lions during the recent international break, with the full reasoning yet to be discovered.
Rice - who is set to captain England against Belgium on Tuesday - believes there are still further conversations to be had with his Gunners team-mate.
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"I think the biggest thing is it's Ben's life, it's Ben's decision. Obviously, people are going to have opinions, people are going to write stuff about it, but ultimately, he's content with his decision," Rice explained.
"We had a few days off before we came here so I'm sure Gareth and him spoke in that period. So I don't know the ins and outs of it. But all I can say is that I would love him to be here.
"Playing against him and now playing with him, seeing how he is… he is very quiet, keeps himself to himself, but when he's on the pitch, he'd do anything for his team to win.
"I think he's a really unique player because he can play three positions. In tournaments, that's so key. He can play centre-back, he can play right-back, he can play inverted full-back."
Mikel Arteta has issued his full faith in Ben White on multiple occasions."So when I get back I can have a conversation with him and see the ins and outs and see what he thinks. I would love him to come. I think Bukayo would. I think Aaron Ramsdale would. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal, who are still in the hunt for both the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League this season, will hope to count on the talents both Rice and White quite clearly possess.
Rice has admitted he is happy to leave the door open for White to return but will respect whatever decision the former Brighton man makes.
"So when I get back, I can have a conversation with him and see the ins and outs and see what he thinks. I would love him to come. I think Bukayo would. I think Aaron Ramsdale would.
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"I think we're all going to be on him when we get back to say... hopefully, he can change his mind, but I don't know the ins and outs of that conversation. So there's nothing much I can say on that."
Bio: Matthew is a freelance journalist and has currently racked up bylines for Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, GOAL and SPORTbible to name a few. A long-term sufferer of Scunthorpe United, he currently resides in the north-west after escaping the smog of North Lincolnshire.
